Addicted to novelty since 2001

Initial Reactions to Returning to the Developed World

March 10, 08

After a year away.

There are so many cars. This has been my overwhelming first reaction.

Our commerce gets so bizarre, so fast. Riding the Airporter in from YVR, I passed a 7-11. There was a big banner hanging above the front door. I can’t remember the exact phrase, but it read something like “Cheesetastic Big Bite Hot Dogs!”. I found that troubling.

Trees! Yay!

Man, it’s really dark for 3:00pm in the afternoon.

Rain! Yay!

I’ve been hopelessly converted to a cash-only consumer. Credit cards were pretty much useless in Malta and Morocco.

It’s jarring isn’t it? I got back just in time for Christmas ramp-up from a trip that included portions of the Colombian Amazon….I’ve never felt so *not* in the mood for going shopping. Still don’t. It’s very hard to explain to others.